The Constitution

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to the development of the Constitution and its principles.

Mayflower Compact

The compact formed by Separatists that set forth the idea of consent of the governed.

Taxation without representation

The term used by colonists to describe British laws they viewed as unfair, particularly regarding taxation.

Common Sense

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that argued for American independence.

Natural Rights

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; the rights that the Declaration of Independence claims to be inherent.

Social Contract

The theory that governments are created to protect natural rights and that people have the right to revolt if they fail to do so.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, creating a weak central government.

Shays' Rebellion

A series of protests by American farmers against state and local government enforcement of tax collections and judgments.

Federalists

Supporters of the new Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the new Constitution who wanted a bill of rights to protect individual liberties.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual liberties.

Ratification Process

The process by which the Constitution was officially adopted, involving approval by nine states.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution.

The Great Compromise

The compromise that created a bicameral legislature, balancing the representation of large and small states.

The Virginia Plan

Proposal for a bicameral legislative branch that favored larger states in representation.

The New Jersey Plan

Proposal for a single-chamber legislature that favored small states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

The agreement that each slave would count as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes.

Constitutional Convention

The 1787 meeting where delegates convened to draft the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibility into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.